Hospital-Acquired Conditions Save 8,000 Lives And $2.9 Billion

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released data today that illustrates continued progress in improving patient safety. According to the report, comparing 2014 to 2015 and 2016, an estimated 350,000 hospital-acquired conditions, 8,000 inpatient deaths and $2.9 billion in costs were avoided. It also is estimated that between 2010 and 2014, 2.1 million HACs, 87,000 patient HAC-related inpatient deaths and approximately $19.9 billion in costs have been avoided. CMS Administrator Seema Verma stated, “Today’s results show that this is a tremendous accomplishment by America’s hospitals in delivering high-quality, affordable health care. CMS is committed to moving the health care system to one that improves quality and fosters innovation while reducing administrative burden and lowering costs.”

Medicare Solvency Date Shortened To 2026

The Boards of Trustees for Medicare released their 2018 annual report to Congress, which indicates that Medicare’s health insurance trust fund will be depleted in 2026. This projection is three years earlier than last year’s report. Medicare’s costs are expected to rise from 3.7 percent of gross domestic product in 2017 to 5.9 percent in 2042. The report also states that 34 percent of Medicare enrollees are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare expenditures were $710 billion in 2017. Within the conclusion of the analysis, “substantial steps to address Medicare’s remaining financial challenges” will be needed and “should occur in the near future.”

This Week Is Community Health Improvement Week

Community Health Improvement Week is a national event that raises awareness, demonstrates impact, and celebrates the individuals and organizations that work to advance the health and well-being of their communities.

MHA developed a community health needs assessment implementation guide for hospitals that provides the guidance necessary to implement their CHNAs. The guide incorporates the most current regulatory requirements from the Internal Revenue Service and provides the tools necessary to complete the implementation plan.

CMS Updates IPFQR Program Resources

Program manual version 4.0 provides a comprehensive overview of the IPFQR Program and measure specifications. The manual gives step-by-step instructions to register on the QualityNet Secure Portal, submit data using the web-based measures application and understand IPFQR program review report processes. Key updates are described in the release notes.

The IPFQR Program paper tools provide an optional, informal abstraction mechanism to assist IPFs in the collection of data for the IPFQR Program. CMS updated the Transition Record with Specified Elements Received by Discharged Patients and Timely Transmission of Transition Record measures paper tool for data to be submitted in the summer of 2020.

Consider This ...

About 140,000 children aged six to 17 years in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Because only about half of children with Tourette are diagnosed, the actual number may be twice as high — 300,000 — and even more have another tic disorder.